For those who are added bloggers and are on the lookout to make a steady income online, one of the most effective ways to accomplish this is by signing up as an affiliate partner. Affiliate marketing is a booming business with hundreds of thousands of bloggers earning a steady income by being part of an affiliate program. An affiliate marketing program involves a website owner signing up for a program whereby the site owner is paid a commission to promote products or services on their blog.The online business keeps a check of generated traffic and the commission each partner earns through the use of affiliate management software. For those who decide to become affiliate partners there are certain things to consider before signing up for a program.Keep a focus on the niche audienceAs a blog owner the first thing is to assess your niche audience and the readers that visit your website. As the blog primarily caters to their interest they play a vital role in its success. Therefore when deciding to partner in an affiliate marketing program it is crucial that the blog owner ensure that the intended audience also feels they will gain something from it too. For this the blog owner has to consider the interests of the reader as to what will be of interest and benefit to them. Keeping that in mind will make it easy to choose a relevant affiliate program. Promoting products or services that will benefit the audience is to be given priority. You can also keep a check on your referrals and commission earned by referring to the affiliate management software.Choose services or products that relate and appeal to you As a blog owner it is important to promote products or services that have been used by and appeal to you. For e.g. if you use a particular brand of product and endorse it you could mention the same on the blog. In all likelihood products that appeal to you will be liked by your niche audience. You need to select an affiliate program that complements your blog content as promoting it will be a much more seamless and successful experience. E.g. If you blog about health products and have readers who subscribe to your blog for specifically tips on health related products promoting fast food products on the site would be counterproductive.The products chosen must blend The use of images in affiliate marketing could adversely impact the aesthetics of your website. One of the main reasons is that these pop-ups or banners which serve as links are made in way to attract the attention of users on a webpage. As a consequence they can be in very bright or garish colours which can be a turn off for your readers and they may decide to move on. Select only those marketing links or adverts which blend into the theme of the website. Try to steer clear of flashing ads or blinking banners. Opt for subtle banners or even focus more on textual links marketing.Opt for postings as a guest vendorOne of the most effective ways of being part of an affiliate marketing program is to post the links in guest posts. Of course it needs to well drafted and relevant and the product must fit the blog niche.